Naval Urban Myths

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War Hero

Theres a similar thread on Arrse that kicked up some interesting posts. We've all heard em.
If you win the football pools you get offered a commission.
If you fill in the BM within 30 seconds of him shaking you then you can't be trooped.
The oldest member of the chiefs mess is allowed to grow a pigtail.
You can get a immediate discharge if you declare yourself a bhuddist.
Lets bust some myths

Lantern Swinger

seriously - whilst doing basic training, a guys grandad died and he inherited a small fortune. he was asked to either hand the money over to the corps benevolent fund or be discharged from the Royal Corps of Signals.... he took the discharge.

when we asked why this happened the official answer from the RSM was this:

"under military law, subordinates can not have more wealth than the officers and commanding officers - or there will not be any respect which is detremantal to the fighting effectiveness of a unit"

so i guess the pools/lottery winnings would result in a commision or a discharge.

Lantern Swinger

Quality "off the cuff" quote from the RSM there! "Under military law...." - wouldn't mind seeing that one in the QRs!

The idea is right though - I knew a LSA at Culdrose who got money the same way, and stopped playing the game completely. How can you fine someone who has that much cash? He was paying off duties as well, became an Admin burden.

I heard about that, if you won the jackpot on the national lottery, the only way you could claim the winnings and stay in the RN was to come to an agreement. Something like only receiving a certain amount a month/year.

Lantern Swinger

Quality "off the cuff" quote from the RSM there! "Under military law...." - wouldn't mind seeing that one in the QRs!

The idea is right though - I knew a LSA at Culdrose who got money the same way, and stopped playing the game completely. How can you fine someone who has that much cash? He was paying off duties as well, became an Admin burden.

Lantern Swinger

Nah - that's bollocks. Look at the MAA (female) who won - she stayed in and her old man packed in work. They can't force you to leave, and they can't force you to take it in instalments. They can offer you (as they did with the LWETS) a commission and a quiet job in Sultan Education Office, but that's about all. The RN doesn't even have to know that you won - but turning up in a Hummer H2 on Monday morning and parking on top of 1SLs Freelander might give it away. Unless it's been nicked again, of course...!

War Hero

Another possible myth surfaced this week. What happens to the fines levied at the XO's/Skippers table. The consensus in the workshop was that it goes to The King George's Fund for Sailors. I'm certain I've heard this explained before, but I can't for the life of me remember where. Any info?

Lantern Swinger

HA! All fines that are levied at tables are returned to the ship/unit, not to the new-build ship fund, KGFS or anything else. I know this because when I was at Sultan, we were a little light on the travel budget, so we asked the Cdr to fine people at the table rather than give them 9s. True dit, all clips on and safeguarded.

I never used to mind being fined because I thought that I "owned" one of the new Type 23s.

Newbie

Is the story about officers having to carry swords because of Royal displeasure true? I head it arose from a mutiny in the 19th or early 20th century, when the mutineers were told they would be spared if they surrendered, and were promptly run up the yardarm (or whatever the term is).

Also, do you matelots actually get all that was promised in the 2SL pamphlet on harmony time (etc.) that a naval colleague of mine was gleefully waving around in front of his RAF/Army colleagues in my unit a couple of years ago?

Lantern Swinger

Is the story about officers having to carry swords because of Royal displeasure true? I head it arose from a mutiny in the 19th or early 20th century, when the mutineers were told they would be spared if they surrendered, and were promptly run up the yardarm (or whatever the term is).

Also, do you matelots actually get all that was promised in the 2SL pamphlet on harmony time (etc.) that a naval colleague of mine was gleefully waving around in front of his RAF/Army colleagues in my unit a couple of years ago?

allegidly the middies who made the promise "ran them through" with cold steel and Queen Victoria was not ammused. this lead to swords being carried in disgrace and lead to the fact that middies are not saluted and gave rise to the opening phrase "my lord, ladies and Gentlemen, and officers of the Royal Navy"